Multifunction car theft alarm lock with tire pressure sensing device

• US 7,030,740 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2003
• Issued: 04/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tien-Tsai Huang
• Original Assignee: Tien-Tsai Huang
• Inventors: Huang, Tien-Tsai
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUNNINGS, TRAVIS R
• Application Number:
  US10/662,275
• Publication Number:
  US 20050012600A1
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.1, 340/426.31, 340/426.33, 340/447, 340/425.5, 340/429, 340/426.13, 340/426.35, 340/426.18, 340/426.36, 340/693.2, 340/333, 200/61.54, 200/61.93, 200/52.8, 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 307/9.1, 702/09
• US Class Current: 340/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/0225 using a rod locked on the steering wheel rim B60R25/0221 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1001 Alarm systems associated with another car fitting or mechanism, e.g. door lock or knob, pedals features related to the general power supply B60R25/1018
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1018 Alarm systems characterised by features related to the general power supply
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

A multifunction car theft alarm lock with tire pressure sensing device, includes a lock unit adapted to lock the steering wheel of a car, a sensor module providing multiple sensing modes to enhance the anti-theft function, and tire pressure sensors adapted to detect tire pressure of the car and adapted to enable an audio visual alarm if tire pressure drops below a predetermined value.

Claims

1. A multifunction car theft alarm lock with tire pressure sensing device used in a transportation vehicle, comprising:

a T-shaped lock unit having a coupling adapted to couple the lock unit to a steering wheel of a transportation vehicle;

a digital electronic lock operably connected to said coupling to selectively release said coupling from the steering wheel;

a key insertable into the lock unit for releasing the coupling;

a sensor module with a plurality of sensing functions, including an infrared sensing function, a horizontal motion sensing function and a vertical motion sensing function, used to detect a status of the transportation vehicle and to output a signal of detection when the status of the transportation vehicle has been changed;

at least one tire pressure sensor for detecting a status of a tire pressure of the transportation vehicle and for transmitting a signal of low pressure if the tire pressure drops below a predetermined pressure value;

an electronic module including the sensor module installed in the lock unit, for inputting the signal of low pressure and outputting the signal of detection and the signal of low pressure to a far end;

a setting device adapted for receiving the signal of detection and the signal of low pressure, the setting device providing a sound and lighting effect corresponding to each of the signal of detection and the signal of low pressure;

a power supply unit for providing a necessary working power to the lock unit and the electronic module;

a standby power set for providing a standby power supply; and

a standby power circuit for providing the standby power supply to the lock unit and the electronic module if the power supply unit fails.

2. The multifunction car theft alarm lock with tire pressure sensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the digital electronic lock has a digital ID code stored therein, and the key is a digital electronic key having a corresponding ID code;

and wherein the digital electronic lock disables the coupling between the lock unit and the steering wheel if the digital ID code and the corresponding ID code match after insertion of the digital electronic key into the lock unit.

3. The multifunction car theft alarm lock with tire pressure sensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horizontal motion sensing function and the vertical motion sensing function are provided by two identical electronic sensors;

wherein one electronic sensor positioned horizontally provides the vertical motion sensing function to detect a vertical vibration of the transportation vehicle, and another electronic sensor positioned vertically provides a horizontal motion sensing function to detect if the door of the transportation vehicle opens.

4. The multifunction car theft alarm lock with tire pressure sensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the infrared sensing function detects movement of a human body in the transportation vehicle.

5. The multifunction car theft alarm lock with tire pressure sensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each at least one tire pressure sensor is coupled to an air nozzle.

6. The multifunction car theft alarm lock with tire pressure sensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each at least one tire pressure sensor is coupled to the inside of a tire.

7. The multifunction car theft alarm lock with tire pressure sensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each at least one tire pressure sensor includes a transmitter for transmitting the signal of low pressure.

8. The multifunction car theft alarm lock with tire pressure sensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power supply unit comprises a power detector and a power alarm, and wherein the power detector is used to detect the power level of the power supply unit and to enable the power alarm if a power supply from said power supply unit is below a predetermined value.

9. The multifunction car theft alarm lock with tire pressure sensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power supply unit, the electronic module, and the standby power circuit are installed in the lock unit.